Automatic sliding lock



Feb. 2, 1960 c. H. KLEBE AUTOMATICSLIDING LOCK Filed NOV. 27, 1957 Carl H. K/ebe INVENTOK.

BY and UnitedStateS I Patent M AUTOMATIC SLIDING LOCK j Carl H. Klebe, Elkhorn, Wis., assignor to Philips B.

Morrissy, Elkh0rn,'Wis. 6

Application November 27, 1957, Serial No. 699,363 8 Claims." c1. 237-53 This invention relates generally to locking devices, and more particularly to a device for locking the sliding adjustment of straps.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an automatic sliding lock for preventing relative sliding between two overlapping strap members in one direction while allowing free sliding movement in said opposite direction. The invention finds particular utility when utilized with adjustable frame pants pressers.

A further object of this invention is to provide automatic sliding lock means which are easily releasable.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an automatic sliding lock which is relatively inexpensive, simple, and reliable.

In accordance with the above objects, below is described a novel construction for an automatic sliding lock for preventing relative sliding between two overlapping strap members in one direction, while allowing free sliding movement in said opposite direction, which includes a U-shaped member to contain the overlapping straps desired to be looked, a cooperating L-shaped member which has an oblique slot therein for accommodating one of said straps and a spring for urging the L-shaped member into engagement with the retaining portion of said U-shaped member.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of this invention showing the lock maintaining the overlapping straps in fixed relation;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of this invention taken substantially along the plane 2--2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a disassembled view of the lock illustrating individually the three principal components.

With continuing reference to the drawings, numeral 10 generally represents the automatic lock of this invention which is utilized to maintain the overlapping relationship between straps 12 and 14.

As is more clearly illustrated in the disassembled view of Figure 3, the lock 10 includes a U-shaped member 16 having an extended bight portion 18 and upstanding legs 20 for containing the overlapping straps l2 and 14. Legs 20 have projecting portions 22 at the forward ends thereof and recessed retainer portions 24 on the bottom surface of the projections 22.

A substantially L-shaped member 26 includes legs 28 and 30. An oblique slot 32 passes through leg 30 for accommodating strap 14 as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2. A terminal portion 34 of leg 28 provides a pressure area to function as is more clearly described below.

A spring 36 is included in the lock to urge the L-shaped member 26 into engagement with the U-shaP d member ICC 16. The engagement occurs between shoulder portions 38 of leg 30 of the L-shaped member with the recessed retainer portions 24 of the U-shaped member'16.

In operation, the'overlapping straps 12 and 14 are placed within the U-shaped member 16 so that they fall between the legs 20 and on top of the bight portion 18. In permanent operation, a rivet 40, extending between the legs 20 is accommodated in groove 41 of strap 12 to prevent the U-shaped member from becoming disengaged from the strap 12. The shoulders 38 of L-shaped member 26 engage the recessed retainer portions 24 on projections 22 of the said member 16. The spring 36 bear ing upwards on leg 28 urges the engagement between the shoulders 38 and the retainer portions 24.

The upward pressure exerted by spring 36 on leg 28 also causes torque about the points of slot 32 which are in contact with strap 14. Therefore, when compressive pressure is applied on straps 12 and 14, that is, when strap 12 is pushed toward the left relative to strap 14, the effect of such pressure would be to aid the moment created about slot 32 by spring 36 whereby the lock 10 will function more efficiently to prevent the sliding movement.

When the straps 12 and 14 are desired to be pulled apart, the lock 10 will have a tendency to loosen in that this force exerted between the straps will tend to counteract the force of the spring 36, causing the slot 32 to more nearly align itself with strap 14, releasing relative pressure between the straps. Portion 34 of leg 28 offers a pressure area whereby manual force may be exerted to counteract the force of spring 36, thereby also releasing the locking engagement between the straps 12 and 14.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An automatic lock for preventing relative sliding movement between two overlapping strap members in one direction while allowing free sliding movement in an opposite direction comprising a U-shaped member having an extended bight portion and depending leg portions, retaining projections on said leg portions, an L-shaped member having first and second legs, said first leg of said L-shaped member having a slot therein for accommodating a first of said straps, spring means engageable between a second of said straps and said second leg of said L-shaped member for urging an intermediate portion of said L-shaped member into engagementwith said retaining projections, and a rivet extending between said leg portions, said second of said straps having a groove formed thereimsaid rivet retained in said groove.

2. An automatic lock for preventing relative sliding movement between two overlapping strap members in one direction while allowing free sliding movement in an opposite direction comprising a U-shaped member having an extended bight portion and depending leg portions, retaining projections on said leg portions, an L-shaped member having first and second legs, said first leg of said L-shaped member having 'a slot therein for accommodating a first of said straps, a second of said straps secured to said U-shaped member, said slot being obliquely positioned relative to said first leg of said L- shaped member whereby a sliding movement of a first of said straps through said slot will cause a torque on said first leg, and spring means for urging an intermediat'p Patented Feb. 2, 1 9 0.

portion of said L-sh'apedmember into engagement with saidretaining projections: a

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second legof saidw L-shaped member extends parallel to and spacedfrbin: said bigiit'portion' of said' U-sha ped member:

leg of said L -shaped"member extends parallel to and spaced from said bight portion 'oflsaid' u-shapedmember.

5. The comb'ination'of claim'l' whereiii said spring means'cornprises' a" spring positioned between -said second leg and said bight portion "to establish" a momen-t orrsaid secondlegaboutsaidslot. V

61" The combination ofclairrr2 wherein' said spring means comprisesa spririgposit'ioned betweenfsaid"second leg and said bightportion-to establish amoment on said secondleg aboutsaid slot.

7; The combination of claim 3 wherein said spring means comprises :a spring positioned between said second 4: 'lhe'combinati'onof claim"2'whereinsaidsecond 10 comesaid urging.

leg and said bight portion to establish a moment on said second leg about said-slot; said second leg including i a pressure area for exerting pressure on saidspring to overcome said urging.

8. The combination of claim 4 wherein said spring means comprises a spring positioned between said second leg and said bight portion .to establish a moment on said second leg about said slot; saidsecond leg including a pressure areaiifonexertingipressure onrsaidtspring to over- ReferencesiCited-fin the,filevofithis patent UNITED snares PATENTS,

717,895 McClain. Jan. 6, 1903 15 2,549,918 Miller L; Apr. 24, 1951 2,557,892 Rowan June 19, 1951 2,620,211 Eberhardt Dec. 2, 1952 2,849,247

Wade Aug, 26, L 1958 

